Prof. Dr. Christian Bauckhage, director at the Lamarr Institute and professor at the University of Bonn, recently participated in the panel discussion “Infrastructure, AI, and Europe’s Road to Digital Sovereignty.” Held on January 14, 2025, at the Academy of International Affairs NRW, the event convened experts to address how the EU can navigate the challenges of digital transformation while safeguarding technological independence.
Moderated by Prof. Susanne Gössl from the University of Bonn, the panel featured diverse perspectives from Prof. Francesca Musiani of the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Fabienne Tegeler from the Federal Office for Information Security, and Prof. Bauckhage. The audience of around 40 participants actively engaged with the panel, posing thought-provoking questions that enriched the discussion on topics such as regulatory frameworks and the risks of reliance on non-European AI providers.
The panel discussion emphasized AI’s pivotal role in shaping Europe’s digital sovereignty, highlighting the potential of autonomous systems, data-driven innovation, and AI infrastructure to secure the region’s competitive edge. Experts stressed the importance of robust regulations, ethical practices, and reducing trust on non-European technologies.
Collaboration and innovation were recognized as essential to overcoming the challenges of digital sovereignty. The discussion reinforced a shared commitment to developing solutions that ensure Europe’s leadership in the global digital ecosystem, paving the way for a sustainable and independent digital future.